Carlton’s hot form has become undeniable, and after knocking off the top dogs ahead of the Wildcard, Adam Simpson has weighed in on their credentials leading into September.

Since Josh Fraser took over from Michael Voss, the Blues have garnered the best record in the AFL, winning 11 games, drawing one and losing just twice in that time to sit atop the AFL ladder since Round 10.

Off the back of securing a Wildcard berth in Round 23, Carlton played host to the minor premiers in Fremantle, who entered the game with a near full-strength lineup despite having sewed up top spot.

And despite conceding the first four goals, the Blues charged home, winning by 37 points to close the home and away season on the highest of notes.

While the result can be adjudicated in a number of ways, Simpson has opted not to view the game from a result perspective, instead noting the clear structure of the Blues’ performance both in Round 24 and across Fraser’s tenure.

The sum of all parts has impressed the premiership coach.

“I’m not taking a lot out of this game,” Simpson told SEN Whateley.

“I got this game wrong – I thought Freo were going to go, ‘we’re business as usual, we are going to go the whole way here.’

“After the first four goals that Fremantle kicked, there was a bit of a stench about the game… and then the hoodie nation elevated!

“Whether Fremantle were off or not, it doesn’t matter. I’m looking at the sum of all parts, and there is a distinct identity now.

“You have to really take something away from Carlton to beat them; you can’t just play against them and hope for the best. Their uncontested game has gone through the roof.

“On the weekend, it was hard to judge. Fremantle get beaten by 10 inside 50s, their scoring efficiency in their back 50 was going at almost 60 per cent – 60 per cent of the time they are getting scored against, AFL average is 40.

“I know Carlton were good, but Fremantle were off and you can understand why. But I’m really impressed. They’ve done it without Jacob Weitering for the most part.

“Will it stand up in finals? That is the next step for this coach, who has been a senior coach for five days.”

Arguably the greatest beneficiary of Carlton’s turn of form has been forward Frankie Evans, who continues to better his best week in, week out.

His performance against the Dockers earned significant plaudits, collecting nine score involvements and booting five goals. However, his form has transcended just one game.

Over the last 10 games, Evans has ranked fifth in the competition amongst pure forwards and sits fourth across the last five games, only behind Geelong’s Shaun Mannagh, Collingwood’s Daniel McStay and Sydney’s Logan McDonald.

“He’s a star!” Simpson continued.

“You look at someone like Evans; the way the ball is moving, there’s some benefit to these types of players. There’s flow, there’s predictability.

“You can run your role – if you’re a high half forward, your role is to run up and down the corridor, and don’t get caught in the mess on the boundary line. Stay on the corridor side for defence, but also for offence.

“If you run your role and you’re a corridor player; you’re going to get a look if you move the ball well.

“That’s a part of the reason why these players are playing at their best. Ben Ainsworth is the same. They are moving the ball in a way where these players come into the game.

“They’re running their roles really well, they are predictable to each other, they are connected in offence and defence, and now they’re getting some really good results in some of these players.

“Everyone is looking like a star at the moment, and that’s up to the opposition to take away now.”

Fraseball has proven a major success, carrying the Blues into the post-season despite their disastrous start to season 2026.

But will it hold up in a finals environment?

“I hope so, but I don’t know,” Simpson said.

“That’s the audit that they’ll get. This is a final this week. It’s a play-in game, it doesn’t really matter what it’s called, but what’s the crowd going to be?

“It’s going to feel like a final, it doesn’t matter what you call it.

“This is going to be the first audit for the new regime. If it doesn’t stand up, there’s some work to do but it’s not the end of the world.

“If it does, the belief is just going to grow and grow and grow. The story is, why not? Why wouldn’t it work?

“But until you actually do it, you can’t really declare it.”

The Blues will face off against the Dees this Saturday night at the MCG, with Geelong and Adelaide closely watching.

If Carlton win, a clash with Geelong at the 'G presents as their next major challenge.

Listen to the complete discussion between Adam Simpson and Gerard Whateley below: